Re:Ethiopia's planned railway network
by CydeWeys on Tuesday November 24, 2015 @06:26PM
(#10624327)
Are waterways more efficient? Trains can be powered entirely using electricity. Ships require either burning heavily polluting fuel or using nuclear power (which is so unpopular politically that it is not in use). So I would argue that by one major measure of efficiency, environmental pollution, both of particulates and CO2, electric-powered trains win out. Of course, it's a lot easier to do electric-powered trains in built up areas that already have power grids; less so if the area you're going through is completely undeveloped.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
>using nuclear power (which is so unpopular politically that it is not in use)
While there may be political issues related to making nuclear fuel/technology widely used, it's also not economically viable to have US Navy-level-trained techs (and associated safety infrastructure) available on cargo boats--especially for short-haul transportation.